A WILD game marked the start of the Eastern Conference Finals as the Indiana Pacers pulled off an improbable 138-135 overtime win over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series on Thursday (Philippine time), May 22.

The Knicks appeared headed to the win when they led by 14 points with less than three minutes left. The unthinkable then happened when Aaron Nesmith sparked Indiana’s mighty comeback by sinking a bevy of three-pointers.

Nesmith dropped five successive triples, the last one shoving the Pacers within 121-123 with 22.6 seconds left. New York could have sealed the deal but Karl-Anthony could only make one of his two free throws with 14.3 ticks to go.

Nesmith made it a one-point game again by dropping two free throws. Again, New York kept the door open for Indiana when OG Anunoby bungled one of his two freebies with seven seconds left.

The missed free throw proved costly as Tyrese Haliburton tied the count at 125-all by sinking a long two-pointer just before the regulation buzzer sounded, forcing a five-minute extension.

New York took a 135-134 lead with 35.9 seconds left in overtime before Andrew Nembhard delivered the go-ahead basket, followed by a dunk by Obi Toppin, sealing Indiana’s miraculous win.

Haliburton finished with 31 points and 11 assists while Nesmith scattered 30 points on 8-for-9 shooting from rainbow area.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 43 points and Towns had 35 points and 12 rebounds.

New York will still host Game 2 on Saturday, May 24.(CCM)

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